Clonidine

Clonidine is often used to help alleviate uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms caused by an opioid addiction. It works by blocking chemicals in the brain that trigger sympathetic nervous system activity, reducing the length of the detox process.

Clonidine

Clonidine belongs to a class of medicines known as antihypertensives. It is frequently prescribed to help with the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Clonidine works by blocking chemicals in the brain that trigger sympathetic nervous system activity. This reduces uncomfortable symptoms of opioid detoxification, such as sweating, hot flashes, watery eyes and restlessness. Additionally, clonidine has been known to help lower anxiety and may even cut time off the detox process.

Clonidine can help reduce symptoms of opioid withdrawal, but it is not a cure for opioid addiction by itself.

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How Does Clonidine Help Addiction Treatment?

The thought of intense drug cravings and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms can be intimidating for people with an opioid addiction. Some even start treatment but quickly fall back into old habits at the first signs of withdrawal.

When taking clonidine, however, you are able to better tolerate any withdrawal symptoms you may experience. The medication helps make the process easier to get through, ultimately increasing the chances of continuing past the detoxification stage. After successfully eliminating opioids from your system, you can move on to lasting recovery.

Medication helps you break free from the ‘hijacking of the brain’ caused by opioids…There’s no wrong door to recovery. This is a highly deadly disease. We need to offer everything that works and not try to dictate the precise recipe for every individual.”

How is Clonidine Administered?

Clonidine is offered in two forms: a tablet and a patch. Your doctor or addiction treatment specialist will be able to find a solution to best fit your recovery plan.

Clonidine in a tablet form is usually given every few hours on your first day of taking the medicine. Over the next several days, your doses may adjust depending on the withdrawal symptoms you are experiencing. By the end of the week, any signs of withdrawal from your opioid addiction will start to subside. Once this happens, you’ll be tapered off of your clonidine doses until it’s no longer needed.

A treatment program using a clonidine patch will require it to be placed on your skin, generally an area with little hair such as the upper, outer arm or upper chest. After it’s applied on the body, the patch will deliver a constant amount of medication. To accommodate different body sizes, each patch is offered with varying strengths of clonidine. It will take approximately two days for the patch to reach a steady state, so the first couple days of detoxification may entail using the patch and taking a tablet. Medication will be administered over a period of seven days through the patch; however, if withdrawal symptoms continue, your doctor may recommend staying on the patch longer.

It will take roughly seven days to complete the entire detoxification process while on clonidine.

Both the tablet and patch versions of clonidine require check-ins with your doctor or addiction treatment specialist frequently to have your blood pressure and pulse monitored. Because of this, it’s most effective when used in an inpatient setting so side effects can be observed under close supervision.

Side Effects of Clonidine

Although clonidine helps many people through the opioid detoxification process, it can sometimes lead to unwanted effects. It’s important to notify your doctor if symptoms last longer than they should or become severe.

Some of the side effects you may experience from taking clonidine include:

Vomiting

Weakness

Headache

Constipation

Other, but rare side effects of clonidine include:

Hives

Swelling

Rashes

Irregular heartbeat

Mood changes

Breathing problems

Some individuals have also become either addicted to or dependent on clonidine. It’s often looked at as an appealing drug due to its low cost and availability. It’s important to use clonidine as part of a comprehensive treatment program. This helps ensure you don’t fall back into old patterns or rebound to a new addiction.

Clonidine has been around for more than 40 years and has many uses for different health conditions. Along with treating opioid withdrawal symptoms, it is also commonly used for:

Migraine

Diarrhea

Pain conditions

High blood pressure

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Anxiety disorders

If you or someone you care about is struggling with an opioid addiction, clonidine can help minimize the withdrawal symptoms from quitting. Get in touch with us today to find a treatment center that administers clonidine.

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Clonidine Statistics

Medications are used in nearly 80 percent of detoxifications in treatment facilities.

7

days

The detoxification stage lasts approximately seven days while taking clonidine.

4

steps

There are four treatment steps to sobriety: intake, detoxification, rehabilitation and ongoing recovery.

Don’t Let Life Pass You By

If you are interested in investigating the possibly benefits of Clonidine in treating your substance abuse disorder, or that of a loved one, the time to start is now. There are dedicated treatment experts on the line waiting for you to reach out. Contact one now to start putting your life back together.

AddictionCenter.com is a referral service that provides information about addiction treatment practitioners and facilities. AddictionCenter.com is not a medical provider or treatment facility and does not provide medical advice. AddictionCenter.com does not endorse any treatment facility or guarantee the quality of care provided, or the results to be achieved, by any treatment facility. The information provided by AddictionCenter.com is not a substitute for professional treatment advice.